Linzi Glass’s debut novel explores the existence of EmilyIris’s dysfunctional family in South Africa. Living with her mum, dad andsister who is the ‘favourite’ child, all Emily loves to do is talk to the Zulunight watchman at the bottom of her garden. One day an Australian couple andtheir two sons come to stay with the family, and since they are there, thefamily can put aside their differences. These wanderers have an incredibleeffect on Emily’s family and change their lives forever.

Beautifully written, The Year The Gypsies Came is an unusualand incredibly inspiring novel, which will touch the hearts of everyone whoreads it. At first glance, the book could be taken as a romantic-girly novelbut it is very much the opposite. The reader can really relate to all thedifferent subjects brought up in this book, including unhappy families andmeeting new people, which is one of the reasons it will appeal to teenagers.This book will stay in my memory for a long time and I look forward to all ofLinzi Glass’s future novels.